The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1887-10-27
Elihu B. Washburne Dead.
The Former Secretary OF state and
Minister to France 6reathes
He Last In Chlcago..
Review OF Notable and honorable
Career Of the Distinguished
Statesman and Diplomat.

Statesman and Diplomat.
The Hon. Elihu B. Washburne, died in
Chicago on Saturday last, at the residence
oil his son, Hempstead Washburne, OF con-
gestion OF the heart and lungs. He had
complained OF illness during the day, and
at four o'clock. was attacked by acute pain
at his heart, and in q few minutes expired.
The deceased had apparently SO completely
recovered from his late illness that his sons
and daughters had returend to their homes,
it being the general feeling that he was in bet
ter health than any time since Mrs. Wash
burne's death, and his death was COM
plete surprise to his family ard friends.
The Washburne family came from the
best OF Revolutionary and Puritan stock,
their ancestor. John Washbnrne. being the
first secretary OF the Council of Ply ymouth.
The father OF Elihu Is. Washburne and six
brothers was native OF Massachusetts,
and a resident OF Maine. in which latter
state his family WAS reared. The father,
Israel Washburne. was a farmer and store
keeper at Livermore, Oxford county,
District OF Maine," where Elihu was
born in September, 1916. There
were seven sons, most OF whom
have attained distinction in political, mil
itary and civil life. The best known Of
these are Israel Washburne. q member OF
congress from Maine and governor OF that
ber OF congress from Wisconsin, q major
general in the army and governor OF Wis
consin; and Gen. William D. Washburne,
an ex. member OF congress from Minnesota,
q soldier in t.e war, and at present a
prominent miller and railroad magnate OF
Minneapolis. OF 1.-THE seven brothers. Sidney,
Israel and Cadwallader have been dead
some time. The first step taken on his own
account by Elihu Washburne. after helping
his father in the store for several years,
was to secure the position OF printers
devil'' in the office OF the Christian Intelli-
gencer at Gardner, Me-, where he passed q
year. He afterward obtained better
position in the office OF the Kennebec
journal, the leading Whig organ OF the
district, and it was during this early news.
paper experiences that he imbibed much OF
his political faith and convictions. In
1886 Mr.. Washburne, then a young
man of twenty, began the study OF law,
entering the office of Hon John Otis, q dis
tinguished lawyer and member OF congress,
residing at Hallowell, an "aristocratic"
town in the Maine district. During this
time Mr.. Washburne took up the study Of
the languages, and applied himself diligent-
ly to his sef-education. Judge Otis was
greatly impressed with the faithfulness and
ambitious character OF his law clerk, and
assisted him in various ways, advancing
the money to pay for his attendance at
the Camb1idg Law school, where Mr..
Washburne entered in 1889. In the spring
of lS4O Mr.. Washburne started for
the West, and settled at Galena, III.
He entered with zest into the Har-
At-A xNH
and came to the front prominently
as a Whig speaker This active par
ticipation in the politics OF that day
earned him a good reputation and brought
him considerable practice as a lawyer, In
1914 lie was delegate to the Wing nation
al convention at Baltimore, assisting in
the nomination OF Henry Clay.
Mr.. Washburne was a leading advocate
OF the old Galena & Chicago Union road,
one OF the pioneer stems OF the great North
western system, the first tep miles OF which
were built in 1S48. During this same year
he was a candidate for congress, but was
defeated by Col. Baker. By the aid OF the
FreeSoilers Mr.. Washburne succeeded four
years later in defeating Thompson
Campbell, the Democratic candidate.
by q majority OF 2S6. Mr.. Washburne
was e-elected term after term, carrying
the district or going along with it into the
make Of the new Republican party just
previous to the war. The first reelection
was the result OF d union movement cul-
minating in Republican coalition,
which gavo Mr.. Washburne q majority OF
5000. The majority secured in 1860 at
511, the largest majority given any
member of that congress. On the
floor OF the house. and in the i'm
portant chairmanships held by him
notably OF the committees on appro-
priations and commercials. Washburne
achieved deserved distinction and gained
an enviable reputation for eminent abili-
ty and strict integrity, He was regarded
as perhaps the nearest friend OF President
Lincoln. During the civil war Mr.. Wash,
burne was enabled TO bestow great fa.
tanned q strong liking. This favor consist
ed OF the presidents commission OF senior
brigadier general from Illinois. This act
OF friendship was followed up later
by Mr.. Washburne's efforts in Sc
curing the legislation making Grant
first lieutenant general and after
ward general OF the armies. Mr..
Washburne was prominent in the impeach-
lnent proceedings against Andrew John.
son, and was Unidentified with all tho i'm.
portant legislation OF period covering
6cveuVceu COuScCutlSe YEARS, OPpOSIIk uu-
merous railroad subsidies and especially
the Pacific railroad legislation changing
the government lien from first to second
mortgages. When Gen. Grant became
president he appointed Mr.. Washburne
secretary OF state. But his health failing
him shortly afterward, Mr.. Washburne
was forced to resign early in 1869. He
was then made minister to France,
On the breaking out OF the war between
France and Prussia Minister Washburne
came into immediate prominence, and
found himself called on to perform the
most exacting and laborious duties, as
to foreign Diplomacy. The archives OF the
German embassy were turned over to
Minister Washburne, and the latter's ser
vices were requested as q matter ofnation.
al hospitality in securing the safe trans
portation through the French lines OF the
80, 600 German residents OF Paris, who de.
sired to return to their native country
on the breaking out ofhostilities, in accord.
ance with the terms OF international
comfy. This required the utmost tact
and rare abilities as diplomat, preserv-
ing friendly relations with France while
performing this gracious service to Ger.
many. Mr.. Washburne succeeded most
admirably. Tho American legation be.
came the common resort Of the oppressed
ni all nations, and to all Minister Wash.
burne extended every possible assistance
During the terrors OF the commune ME
Washburne was the only foreign min,
lister who remained in Paris. Fol
his distinguished and heroic aervices
during tho siege OF Paris Mr.,
Washburne has received the thanks
Of thousands among the German people
and other nationalities, and been warmly
complimented by the governments o.
several nations. Emperor William con
ierred upon him the Order Of the Red
Eagle, one OF the highest in the
gift OF the German crown. and wrote
him personal letter expressing his graf.
itude and esteem, sending with it ieweled
star Of great value and an oil painting oI
himself. Saxony, Portugal. Mexico and q
number ol other European and South
American principalities were also prompt
in makirg their acknowledgment oI
services reformed in behalf OF their
subjects. Mr.. Washburne returned "a
this country after q residence OF nearly
nine years in Paris. His life after thai
time was quiet and retired jor the most
part and largely passed in his own library
among his books, manuscripts, painting
and ongravings. His name has been men.
toned in connection with the presidency